Solomon's Mother and Her Influence on His Life

Solomon, whose name means "peaceful" (Hebrew: Shelomoh), was the son of David and Bathsheba, born in David's old age ^{[1, 5]}. He was the last-born of David's sons and the first child born to David and Bathsheba after their legal marriage ^{[1, 5]}. The prophet Nathan, who had previously rebuked David for his affair with Bathsheba, gave Solomon the additional name Jedidiah, meaning "beloved of the Lord," signifying God's favor upon the infant ^{[1, 5, 12]}. Nathan was entrusted with Solomon's education from his earliest infancy ^{[1, 5]}.

Bathsheba's influence on Solomon's life is evident from his early years through his reign. She played a crucial role in securing his succession to the throne and continued to hold a position of honor and influence as the king's mother ^[9].

Securing the Succession

David had chosen Solomon as his successor, bypassing his elder sons ^[5]. However, as David neared the end of his life, another son, Adonijah, attempted to seize the throne. Nathan the prophet, aware of David's intention for Solomon to reign, approached Bathsheba to inform her of Adonijah's actions and to urge her to speak with David ^[12]. Nathan then joined Bathsheba in speaking to David, reminding him of his oath that Solomon would succeed him ^[12]. This intervention by Bathsheba and Nathan was instrumental in David's decision to publicly declare Solomon as his successor and have him anointed king ^[12].

Bathsheba's Continued Influence

Even after Solomon ascended to the throne, Bathsheba maintained a position of respect and influence. The Hebrew legal and moral system held mothers in high esteem, a contrast to other ancient cultures, and the king's mother was accorded special honor ^[9]. This is illustrated in an incident early in Solomon's reign. Adonijah, after Solomon became king, approached Bathsheba with a request to marry Abishag, David's former concubine. Bathsheba agreed to present this request to Solomon ^[17].

When Bathsheba came to Solomon, the text describes a scene demonstrating her esteemed position: "The king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a throne brought for the king’s mother, and she sat on his right" (1 Kings 2:19). This act of Solomon rising and bowing to his mother, and then seating her on a throne beside him, underscores her significant status ^[9]. Although Solomon ultimately denied Adonijah's request, viewing it as a veiled attempt to claim the throne, the interaction highlights Bathsheba's access and influence with the king ^[17].

Proverbs and Maternal Instruction

Some traditions identify King Lemuel, whose words are recorded in Proverbs 31, with Solomon ^{[11, 16]}. The opening verses of Proverbs 31 state, "The words of King Lemuel, the burden with which his mother corrected him" (Proverbs 31:1) ^{[11, 16]}. Matthew Henry suggests that "Lemuel" might have been an endearing name Bathsheba used for Solomon, and that Solomon valued his mother's affection enough to use it ^[16].

Rabbinic tradition, specifically the Babylonian Talmud, interprets this passage as Bathsheba correcting Solomon for excessive drinking ^[11]. Rabbi Yoḥanan, in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, states that Bathsheba saw Solomon engaged in heavy drinking and bound him to a pillar to flog him, questioning him with the words of Proverbs 31:2: "What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?" ^[11]. This interpretation suggests a mother actively involved in her son's moral and spiritual upbringing, even after he became king. The Talmud further elaborates on Bathsheba's admonition, reminding Solomon of his father David's piety and his own dedication to God ^[11].

Another rabbinic interpretation from the Babylonian Talmud suggests that Psalm 91 contains blessings from both David and Bathsheba to Solomon. It posits that the initial verses are David's blessings, while the latter part, beginning with "For he shall order His angels to preserve you in all your ways," represents his mother's blessings ^[21]. This view further emphasizes the maternal role in Solomon's spiritual formation.

Solomon's Wisdom and His Mother's Legacy

Solomon's reign was marked by extraordinary wisdom, wealth, and peace ^{[6, 7]}. He was renowned for his ability to discern justice, as famously demonstrated in the case of the two prostitutes disputing over a child ^{[6, 20]}. The Babylonian Talmud suggests that in this particular judgment, a "Divine Voice" confirmed Solomon's discernment, stating, "She is his mother" ^{[13, 14, 15]}.

Solomon undertook significant building projects, including the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, a task his father David had prepared for ^[8]. He also expanded and strengthened the walls of Jerusalem ^[7]. The Song of Solomon alludes to his mother's role in his public life, stating, "Go out, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, with the crown with which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his weddings, in the day of the gladness of his heart" (Song of Solomon 3:11) ^[3]. This verse suggests a ceremonial role for his mother in his coronation or wedding, further highlighting her public significance.

Despite his initial devotion and wisdom, Solomon's later life was marred by his many foreign wives and concubines, who led him to worship other gods ^[10]. Josephus notes that Solomon "was fallen headlong into unreasonable pleasures, and regarded not those admonitions" ^[10]. This deviation from the monotheistic worship of Yahweh ultimately led to the division of his kingdom after his death.

Solomon's son, Rehoboam, succeeded him on the throne ^{[2, 4]}. The biblical text explicitly names Rehoboam's mother as Naamah the Ammonitess ^{[2, 4]}. This detail is significant as it highlights the foreign influence that entered the royal line, a consequence of Solomon's marriages outside of Israel. Rabbinic tradition notes that Naamah the Ammonitess was the mother of Rehoboam, marking a shift in the lineage of the monarchy ^{[18, 19]}.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Solomon — (peaceful). I. Early life and occasion to the throne .--Solomon was the child of David's old age, the last born of all his sons. (1 Chronicles 3:5) The yearnings of the "man of war" led him to give to the new-horn infant the name of Solomon (Shelomoth, the peaceful one). Nathan, with a marked reference to the meaning of the king's own name (David, the darling, the beloved one), calls the infant Jedidiah (Jedid'yah), that is, the darling of the Lord. (2 Samuel 11:24,25) He was placed under the care of Nathan from his earliest infancy. At first, apparently, th”
1 Kings “Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess. -- 1 Kings 14:21”
Song of Solomon “Go out, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, with the crown with which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his weddings, in the day of the gladness of his heart. -- Song of Solomon 3:11”
I Kings “I Kings 14:21 (KJV) — And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother’s name was Naamah an Ammonitess.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Solomon — Peaceful, (Heb. Shelomoh), David's second son by Bathsheba, i.e., the first after their legal marriage (2 Sam. 12). He was probably born about B.C. 1035 (1 Chr. 22:5; 29:1). He succeeded his father on the throne in early manhood, probably about sixteen or eighteen years of age. Nathan, to whom his education was intrusted, called him Jedidiah, i.e., "beloved of the Lord" (2 Sam. 12:24, 25). He was the first king of Israel "born in the purple." His father chose him as his successor, passing over the claims of his elder sons: "Assuredly Solomon my son shall re”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 2, section 2: and imitated his father in those things wherein he excelled. When Solomon heard this from God, he presently leaped out of his bed; and when he had worshipped him, he returned to Jerusalem; and after he had offered great sacrifices before the tabernacle, he feasted all his own family. 2. In these days a hard cause came before him in judgment, which it was very difficult to find any end of; and I think it necessary to explain the fact about which the contest was, that such as light upon my writings may know what a difficult cause S”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 2, section 1: . Concerning The Wife Of Solomon; Concerning His Wisdom And Riches; And Concerning What He Obtained Of Hiram For The Building Of The Temple. 1. Solomon having already settled himself firmly in his kingdom, and having brought his enemies to punishment, he married the daughter of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and built the walls of Jerusalem much larger and stronger than those that had been before, 2 and thenceforward he managed public affairs very peaceably. Nor was his youth any hinderance in the exercise of justice, or in the observati”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Temple, Solomon's — Before his death David had "with all his might" provided materials in great abundance for the building of the temple on the summit of Mount Moriah (1 Chr. 22:14; 29:4; 2 Chr. 3:1), on the east of the city, on the spot where Abraham had offered up Isaac (Gen. 22:1-14). In the beginning of his reign Solomon set about giving effect to the desire that had been so earnestly cherished by his father, and prepared additional materials for the building. From subterranean quarries at Jerusalem he obtained huge blocks of stone for the foundations and walls o”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mother — The superiority of the Hebrew over all contemporaneous systems of legislation and of morals is strongly shown in the higher estimation of the mother in the Jewish family, as contrasted with modern Oriental as well as ancient Oriental and classical usage. The king's mother, as appears in the case of Bath-sheba, was treated with special honor. (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:3; 5:16; 21:18,21; 1 Kings 2:29; Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 17:25; 29:15; 31:1,30)”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 7, section 4: own; lest we should leave off to honor our own God, and should worship their gods. But Solomon was Gllen headlong into unreasonable pleasures, and regarded not those admonitions; for when he had married seven hundred wives, 19 the daughters of princes and of eminent persons, and three hundred concubines, and those besides the king of Egypt's daughter, he soon was governed by them, till he came to imitate their practices. He was forced to give them this demonstration of his kindness and affection to them, to live according to the ”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 70b.2: § The Gemara continues its discussion of wine. Referring to the verse that states: “The words of King Lemuel, the burden with which his mother corrected him” (Proverbs 31:1), Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: This teaches that when Solomon’s mother Bathsheba saw Solomon engaged in excessive drinking, she bound him to a pillar to have him flogged. And she said to him: “What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?” (Proverbs 31:2). She meant: “What, my son?” Everyone knows that your father, David, was a God-fearing ”
1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 1:11: 1:11-14 Bathsheba was Solomon’s mother and David’s favored wife. Their affair led to the death of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah the Hittite (see 2 Sam 11:1-27). • Nathan, the prophet who revealed God’s covenant with David (2 Sam 7:1-17) and announced God’s love for Solomon at his birth (2 Sam 12:24-25), confirmed God’s selection of Solomon to succeed David as king (see 1 Chr 28:4-7). Although Nathan had sharply rebuked David for his affair with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah (2 Sam 12:1-15), the king respected the prophet. • Adonijah certainly observed Nathan’s c”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Makkot 23b.14: This occurred in the court of Solomon, when the Divine Spirit appeared in the dispute between two prostitutes over who was the mother of the surviving child, as it is written: “And the king answered and said: Give her the living child, and do not slay him; she is his mother” (I Kings 3:27). How did Solomon know that she was the mother? Perhaps she was devious and was not the mother of the surviving child at all. Rather, a Divine Voice emerged and said: She is his mother.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Makkot 49b.46:14: This occurred in the court of Solomon, when the Divine Spirit appeared in the dispute between two prostitutes over who was the mother of the surviving child, as it is written: “And the king answered and said: Give her the living child, and do not slay him; she is his mother” (I Kings 3:27). How did Solomon know that she was the mother? Perhaps she was devious and was not the mother of the surviving child at all. Rather, a Divine Voice emerged and said: She is his mother.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Makkot 49a.46:14: This occurred in the court of Solomon, when the Divine Spirit appeared in the dispute between two prostitutes over who was the mother of the surviving child, as it is written: “And the king answered and said: Give her the living child, and do not slay him; she is his mother” (I Kings 3:27). How did Solomon know that she was the mother? Perhaps she was devious and was not the mother of the surviving child at all. Rather, a Divine Voice emerged and said: She is his mother.”
Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 31:1: Most interpreters are of opinion that Lemuel is Solomon; the name signifies one that is for God, or devoted to God; and so it agrees well enough with that honourable name which, by divine appointment, was given to Solomon (Sa2 12:25), Jedediah - beloved of the Lord. Lemuel is supposed to be a pretty, fond, endearing name, by which his mother used to call him; and so much did he value himself upon the interest he had in his mother's affections that he was not ashamed to call himself by it. One would the rather incline to think it is Solomon that here tells us wha”
1 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Kings 2:22: Then King Solomon sware by the Lord,.... To prevent his mother pressing him to have her petition granted: saying, God do so to me, and more also; lay such and such evils upon me, and more than I care to express: if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life; to his own prejudice, and even to the loss of his life; in which Solomon suggests it would issue, being a fresh overt act of treason; he knew, from what Bathsheba said, that this was his petition, and that he had spoken of this to her, and put her upon making it for him; and who no doubt related ”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Nazir 133b.47:1: she merited to precede the younger daughter by four generations to the monarchy of the Jewish people. The descendants of Ruth the Moabite ruled over the Jewish people for four generations: Obed, Yishai, David, and Solomon, before the reign of Solomon’s son Rehoboam, whose mother was Naamah the Ammonite.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Nazir 24a.1: she merited to precede the younger daughter by four generations to the monarchy of the Jewish people. The descendants of Ruth the Moabite ruled over the Jewish people for four generations: Obed, Yishai, David, and Solomon, before the reign of Solomon’s son Rehoboam, whose mother was Naamah the Ammonite.”
1 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 3:16: An instance is here given of Solomon's wisdom, to show that the grant lately made him had a real effect upon him. The proof is fetched, not from the mysteries of state and the policies of the council-board, though there no doubt he excelled, but from the trial and determination of a cause between party and party, which princes, though they devolve them upon their judges, must not think it below them to take cognizance of. Observe, I. The case opened, not by lawyers, but by the parties themselves, though they were women, which made it the easier to such a piercing”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 103a.15: Until this point in the psalm, Solomon’s father, David, blessed him, as these are blessings appropriate for a father to bless his son. From this point forward, his mother blessed him, as these are blessings appropriate for a mother to bless her son. “For he shall order His angels to preserve you in all your ways. They shall bear you on their hands, lest they dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the crocodile shall you trample under foot” (Psalms 91:11–13).”

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